2 Days 1 Night
Medium - Challenge
Min: 2 - Max: 8 people
Cusco - Perú
Our Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain tour combines Peru’s two most iconic adventures in just two days. On day one, you’ll explore the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On day two, you’ll hike to Vinicunca, the famous Mountain of Seven Colors. We adapt the program to your days in Cusco. Most travelers spend a few days in the city first to acclimatize before the tour.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 days |
| Departs from | Cusco, Peru |
| Day 1 | Machu Picchu (by train) |
| Day 2 | Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) |
| Max altitude | 5,036 m / 16,522 ft (Rainbow Mountain) |
| Difficulty | Moderate to challenging (high altitude on day 2) |
| Group size | Small groups (max. 8) |
| Price | $450 USD per person |
Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m (7,970 ft), much lower than Cusco. Rainbow Mountain, at 5,036 m (16,522 ft), is one of the highest hikes in the region. Visiting Machu Picchu on the first day gives your body more time to adjust, so you’re better prepared for the high-altitude adventure on day two (learn more about altitude sickness).
[Resumen del día 1: hora de recojo, tren, tour guiado de 2 horas, regreso a Cusco.]
Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, is famous for its incredible stripes of red, yellow, turquoise and lavender, created by mineral layers over millions of years. Along the trail you’ll see llamas and alpacas grazing, and Andean communities that keep their traditions and customs alive. On clear days, you’ll also enjoy views of the snow-capped Ausangate, the sacred mountain of Cusco. For all the details of this hike, see our Rainbow Mountain Full Day Tour.
One day before your departure, we’ll meet you at your hotel to explain every detail of your two days of adventure. It’s the perfect moment to ask any questions to the person in charge of your tour.
We have more options to fit your travel style:
05:30 am – Pickup in Cusco. We pick you up at your hotel and drive 1 hour 30 minutes through the Sacred Valley to the train station in Ollantaytambo.
07:45 am – Train to Aguas Calientes. We board the train to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. The scenic ride takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, following the Urubamba River through the Andes and into the cloud forest.
Bus to Machu Picchu. In Aguas Calientes, we take the bus up the mountain to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Remember to have your original passport ready, as it’s required to enter.
Guided tour of Machu Picchu. Your guide leads a 2 hour 30 minute tour following the official routes of the Inca citadel. You’ll visit the most important places, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana and the main plaza, and learn about the history and mysteries of this wonder of the world. After the tour, you’ll have about one hour of free time to explore on your own.
Return to Cusco. We take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, we board the train to Ollantaytambo, where our car will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving around 6:30 pm. Rest well, because tomorrow is the Rainbow Mountain adventure.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Min altitude | Aguas Calientes – 2,040 m / 6,690 ft |
| Max altitude | Cusco – 3,400 m / 11,150 ft (Machu Picchu 2,430 m / 7,970 ft) |
| Weather | Cold early morning; warm and humid at Machu Picchu |
| Transportation | Car, train, bus |
| Difficulty | 1 – Easy |
| Start time | 05:30 am |
| End time | Approx. 06:30 pm |
| Total tour time | 13 hours |
| Walking time | Approx. 3 hours (inside Machu Picchu) |
Day 1 – Machu Picchu
Day 2 – Rainbow Mountain
